Hooi-Ying Zhang 张海莹 (they/them) also known as Ash is a Rotterdam-based artist, storyteller, autodidact K.R.U.M.P. and Popping dancer and performer. Through intimate interdisciplinary works, they try to dissect, deconstruct, and research almost ungraspably large topics like love, loneliness, and grief through personal stories, dance, poetry, and visual arts with a vulnerable and critical lens.
In their artistic research, they illuminate and unfold the complexity of the Chinese diaspora identities, as well as center the interconnectivity that exists between various underrepresented communities and their struggles. In their projects, they aim to create a space to reflect outside this fast-paced and productivity-driven Western paradigm. Through their works, Hooi-Ying hopes to empower people, encourage a more community-driven mindset, and find ways to resist larger power structures designed to oppress.
Education:
University of Amsterdam | Minor Gender and Sexuality
(25-25)
Willem de Kooning | Transformation Design
(22-now)
Technische Universiteit Delft and Erasmus MC | Nanobiology
(19-now)
Exhibitions:
Bar Bario | ‘Family Re-imagined’
(25)
Hiphophuis | ‘Home Is ****’
(25)
Performances:
Bar Bario | ‘Hu Tian Bao’ | ‘Family Re-imagined’ Exhibition Opening
(13/6/25)
Hiphophuis | ‘Home Is Where I Grief Part 6’ | ‘Home is ****’ Exhibition Opening
(1/3/25)
Theater Rotterdam | ‘Home’ | Dresi Fu Yeye
(18/1/25)
Buitenplaats Briennoord | ‘The Intimate Liminal Space’ | Buitenplaats Briennoord
(19/4/24)
Buitenplaats Briennoord | ‘What else do I have? Symbioscene’ | Major presentation year 2.3
(26/3/24)
Willem de Kooning | ‘A Movement’ | Major presentation year 2.2
(18/12/23)
Theater Rotterdam TR8 | ‘公公’s Jacket’ | Talent Traject
(24/3/23)
Studio de Bakkerij | ‘Dear Dad’ | Popadelic by Connect the Funk
(30/9/23)
Booijmans op Zuid | ‘When You’re Strange’ | Major presentation year 1.3
(1/6/23)
Experience:
Visual Storytellers 2025 | Qissa
(10/24-3/25)
Ballpark | Theater Rotterdam
(9/24-now)
Visual Storytellers 2024 | Qissa
(9/24-now)
The Gully District | Concept and Graphic Designer, Event Management and Planning
(5/24-now)
Talent Traject | Theater Rotterdam Jong
(1/24-3/24)
Lab Research Summer Internship | Erasmus MC Urology Department
(6/24-8/24)
Teacher’s Assistent | Technische Universiteit Delft
(9/24-9/22)
Volunteering:
Connect the Funk | Event Management and Planning
(5/23-2/24)
Asian Raisins | Actualiteit Teamleader; Content Creator, Text Checker, Process Managment
(3/21-9/23)